Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

411

Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Earth Sciences

Concentration

Geography

Committee Chair

Greogory Nathaniel Taff

Committee Member

Melanie A. Rapino

Committee Member

Arleen A. Hill

Abstract

Abstract Giant Hogweed - a poisonous, invasive weed in Latvia - poses significant threat to biodiversity, and human health. This research develops a participatory GIS (PPGIS) program involving Latvian high school students as data collectors to monitor the geographic distribution of Giant Hogweed. This research explores challenges with implementing such a public program, how to maximize participation, and how participation impacts environmental awareness of participants. This research assesses accuracy of PPGIS-collected data, and how this impacts utilization of such data for classifying satellite imagery.Results indicate that this PPGIS program is effective in facilitating data collection for monitoring Giant Hogweed in Latvia. Tested methods of increasing participation have proven largely unsuccessful to date. Statistical analyses of survey responses indicate participation had a marked effect on sensitivity towards environmental issues. Accuracy assessments indicate that quality of point data collected by participants is sufficient for use as ground verification, but not as actual ground truth.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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